You’ll note a lack of variety in brands, that’s because in my experience you can pay more but you aren’t getting any better.

Buying cheaper, you never know what you are getting. In spec and quality or something that will cause a gunsmith to pull his hair out.
And more expensive?
Unless you are talking investment or a complete custom build, it’s not worth it.

I say that while building a $3800 double stack gun. But it’s a specialty gun, built to exact specifications and for a particular need. I would not have it for my own.